Pretoria - President Kgalema Motlanthe on Monday told an extraordinary Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit that the time for talking was over and a resolution to the Zimbabwe political crisis must be found.
"We cannot continue talking, talking, talking without concretely proceeding to the implementation stage.
"The convening, once again, of an extraordinary SADC summit demonstrates out collective recognition of our responsibility, concern and empathy concerning the deteriorating political, economic and social situation in the sisterly country of Zimbabwe," Mr Motlanthe said.
Appealing to SADC heads of state and government during his opening remarks at the presidential guesthouse on Monday, the South African president said Africa was relying on SADC to resolve the impasse through decisive statesmanship.
Zimbabwe, he said, once an important exporter of food to the rest of Africa is now a net importer of food and recipient of food aid.
The conditions in Zimbabwe, however, are not only a Zimbabwean challenge, but are a challenge linked to the reputation of the regional economic community, SADC, and Africa at large, he said.
"The resolution of the political stalemate will enable Zimbabwe to continue in its important role as an anchor member of the SADC family and meet the aspirations of the people of Southern Africa and in doing so meet the needs and aspirations of the people of Africa," Mr Motlanthe told SADC leaders.
SADC heads of state present at the summit included Botswana President Ian Khama, Mozambican President Armando Emilio Guebuza, Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba, Swaziland King Mswati III, Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, and Zambian President Rupiah Banda.
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe as well as Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) faction leader and Prime Minister designate Morgan Tsvangirai was also present.
Leader of the smaller MDC faction Arthur Mutambara was not present at the summit, but was represented by Professor Welshman Ncube.
